Impressive holy cities of Saudi Arabia

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Impressive holy cities of Saudi Arabia

The birthplace and spiritual home of Islam, Saudi Arabia is rich in significance. The Middle Eastern gem isn't only known for its honey-hued deserts and closeness to the Red Sea. It's home to the two holiest cities in Islam, Mecca and Medina – so you're not short of magnificent holy sites to visit. We're talking everything from immense mosques, such as the Al Masjid An Nabawi of Medina and Masjid al-Haram, the Great Mosque of Mecca, to the battle-commemorating Mount Uhud mountain. And beyond that you'll find the carved temples of Madain Saleh, known as the second Petra. Muslim pilgrims regularly visit these holy sites, not just for their religious obligation, but their historic significance – and you can, too.

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Awe at the Al Masjid An Nabawi mosque, Medina

The second largest mosque in the world, the Al Masjid An Nabawi – also known as The Prophet's Mosque – isn't only impressive because of its sheer size. It holds deep significance for Muslims all over the world, too, because it's said to have been built by the Prophet himself in AD 622. His final resting place is set beneath the mosque's iconic green dome, built by the Ottomans. Make tracks to this impressive building in the Saudi Arabian city of Medina and you can gaze in awe at the 27 domes, vast open-air courtyard and clever two-tiered structure.
Visit the Great Mosque of Mecca – Masjid al-Haram

Pay a visit to the biggest mosque in the world – and perhaps the most important Muslim holy site in Saudi Arabia. The awe-inspiring Al Masjid Al Haram mosque can host a million worshippers and covers a staggering area of 356,800 square metres. This history-enriched building is believed to date back to at least the 7th century. At its centre is the Holy Kaaba, covered in black and gold cloth, around which Muslims undertaking the hajj, or annual pilgrimage, can be found circumnavigating night and day.
Hear the call to prayer at the Quba Mosque, Medina

Six domes, four minarets and a central courtyard – all in brilliant white – the Quba Mosque, or Majid Quba, is certainly another spectacular holy sight to behold. It's reportedly the world's first mosque, after the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, migrating from Mecca to Medina, stopped there in AD 622 and laid the mosque's foundation stone. Because it's a key part of the prophetic narrative, it's a popular place for prayer – and of course attracts many visitors from around the globe.
Climb to the top of Mount Uhud

Set at 1,077-metres high and 7.5 kilometres long, Mount Uhud is the largest mountain in the north of Saudi Arabia's Medina. Commemorating the famous battle between Muslim and Meccan forces in 625 CE, it's a major pilgrimage site. The mountain is made of volcanic rocks and is home to historic monuments which have been built on it, such as castles and rock engravings dating back centuries, so there's plenty to see and do. You can climb to the top of the Archer's Mount to get a feel of the battlefield below.

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Impressive holy cities of Saudi Arabia

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